Project Rewild: Elephant Translocations Update – 2025
In 2022, Great Plains took a pivotal step in restoring ecosystems and ensuring the survival of African elephants by translocating 101 elephants into the Sapi Reserve, located in the Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe. Since then, the project has focused on monitoring these translocated herds, using state-of-the-art technology to track their movements, social interactions, and physical health. This effort not only provides valuable data on their adaptation to the new environment but also strengthens our commitment to future elephant translocations and long-term conservation strategies.
Monitoring Translocated Herds: A Vital Conservation Effort
The translocated elephants have been closely monitored using VHF tracking and modern platforms such as Earth Ranger. These technologies have enabled our team to gather comprehensive data on the herds, including their movements across political boundaries, a crucial aspect of elephant conservation. From the data collected, we’ve observed herds frequently moving between the Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe and the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia, crossing the Zambezi River along the way. One such herd, now observed by our collaborators at Conservation Lower Zambezi (CLZ), was recently spotted with a new calf, underscoring the dynamic nature of elephant behaviour and the importance of monitoring across borders.
“The management of translocated herds needs to be planned for the long term, with intensive monitoring for a minimum of two years. Only then do we see that they begin to behave more like resident herds.” – Dr. Sven Bourquin, Wildlife Projects Coordinator.
Insights from Movement Patterns
In the initial stages of the translocation, a noticeable difference in movement patterns was observed between the translocated herds and the resident herds. The translocated elephants exhibited significantly higher daily movement, indicating their efforts to acclimate to their new environment. However, after two years, there are signs of stabilisation, as these herds are beginning to exhibit more predictable, established foraging behaviour.
Collaborating for Long-Term Impact
As part of our ongoing efforts, we continue to monitor the condition, social interactions, and movement patterns of both the translocated and resident herds in the Sapi Reserve. This data, recorded via a combination of VHF and satellite-based technologies, is crucial for understanding how the elephants are adjusting to their new home.
In late 2024, we were thrilled to welcome Mr. Patmore Ngorima, an ecologist from ZimParks, who will lead a PhD project that will delve deeper into the conservation-based translocation process. His research will provide critical insights into how translocated elephants adapt and thrive, thereby contributing to our broader understanding of wildlife relocation and conservation.
2022 Great Plains Project Rewild Zambezi ©Beverly Joubert
The Impact of Climate Change
Tragically, the monitoring team reported a few losses within both the translocated and resident herds. These losses were largely attributed to the challenging environmental conditions in the region, particularly the delayed rainy season. These setbacks underscore the need for ongoing, in-depth monitoring to identify any early signs of distress in the herds and take preventive action. Despite these challenges, our team remains optimistic, noting the overall growing population of resident and translocated herds in the Sapi Reserve.
Ongoing Elephant Translocations – Efforts and Future Plans
The translocation and monitoring efforts do not stop with elephant herds. Our team continues to engage in translocation projects across various species to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem restoration. In March 2025, another critical recollaring operation took place in Sapi, where satellite tracking units were replaced on the matriarchs and new collars were fitted on other dominant females. This effort is part of a broader initiative to enhance monitoring capabilities and ensure that our research framework remains robust and adaptive to future challenges.
These collaring efforts are not only tracking animal movements; they are integral to understanding how the elephants integrate into their new environment, ensuring they coexist peacefully with local communities, and preventing any potential human-wildlife conflict in the future.
Looking Ahead: A Collaborative Approach to Elephant Conservation
The success of Project Rewild’s elephant translocations relies on continued collaboration and long-term investment in monitoring, research, and adaptation. We are committed to expanding these efforts through the invaluable partnership of ZimParks, collaboration with Conservation Lower Zambezi (CLZ), the Peace Parks Foundation, the Zambezi Society, the Zambezi Elephant Fund, and others. This joint effort ensures that we are providing the best possible care for Africa’s iconic species while restoring critical ecosystems.
As we continue to monitor and support the translocated elephants, our focus remains on providing a safe, sustainable environment where these magnificent animals can thrive for generations to come.
Thank you to our partners, donors, and supporters for your ongoing support of elephant translocations and the protection of biodiversity in critical ecosystems.
©Beverly Joubert Wildlife Films
Please email info@greatplainsfoundation.org to learn more about how to join us and participate in emergency and long-term conservation initiatives.
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Learn more about Project Rewild here.
